Tight muscles and a lack of flexibility are the direct results of tension in the muscles. Where that tension manifests depends on what you do every day. If you work at a desk, you may have tension or pain in your neck and shoulders. Cyclists tend to have tight quads, hip flexors, and hips. Gymnasts tight hamstrings. Dancers hyperextended limbs.

Tips and tricks for introducing regular stretching exercises to your workout. Resistance exercises wake up the brain-muscle connections to tap into our innate flexibility and strength. All of us, knowingly or unknowingly, use our muscles in specific patterns. This results in some muscles becoming overworked and some under worked or injured. Resistance exercises find and correct unhealthy muscle patterns by engaging the brain-muscle connection.

The science behind resistance training is what makes learned flexibility possible.

There is definitely a better way to stretch, one where you will see the benefit. In this article, I would like to help you to the truth behind flexibility, understand how important stretching is for you, learn the role stretching plays in your workout, and help you think outside the box to incorporate new programs that include stretching throughout your entire workout so you eliminate the need to stretch afterward.

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Janet Matthies explains why lower back pain often originates in the hips and hamstrings, not the back at all. She…